Food safety course in Leinster
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Short answer
Leinster has 12 counties, including Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Louth, Wexford and Kilkenny. Our food safety and hygiene course is online, so it works anywhere in Leinster, for €29 per person, VAT included. Irish law says food handlers must be supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene, but the FSAI says you do not necessarily have to attend a food safety training course: training can be in-house or on a course.[1]
Which towns in Leinster have their own page?
Who inspects food businesses in each county of Leinster?
Food businesses such as restaurants, delis, shops, food stalls and mobile food businesses are typically inspected by the HSE's National Environmental Health Service, which works under a service contract with the FSAI.[3][4] These are the 12 counties in Leinster with their HSE health region, local authority and the number of FSAI enforcement orders announced from January to September 2026 (our count of the FSAI's monthly releases):[5–13]
| County | HSE health region | Local authority | Orders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlow | HSE Dublin and South East | Carlow County Council | 1 |
| Dublin | HSE Dublin and North East, Dublin and Midlands, Dublin and South East | Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council | 35 |
| Kildare | HSE Dublin and Midlands | Kildare County Council | 0 |
| Kilkenny | HSE Dublin and South East | Kilkenny County Council | 0 |
| Laois | HSE Dublin and Midlands | Laois County Council | 3 |
| Longford | HSE Dublin and Midlands | Longford County Council | 0 |
| Louth | HSE Dublin and North East | Louth County Council | 1 |
| Meath | HSE Dublin and North East | Meath County Council | 4 |
| Offaly | HSE Dublin and Midlands | Offaly County Council | 1 |
| Westmeath | HSE Dublin and Midlands | Westmeath County Council | 1 |
| Wexford | HSE Dublin and South East | Wexford County Council | 4 |
| Wicklow | HSE Dublin and South East (west Wicklow: HSE Dublin and Midlands) | Wicklow County Council | 1 |
How do you register a new food business in Leinster?
By law, you must notify the HSE before you start operating a food business. You can do it online through the HSE's ehonline portal or through the local Environmental Health Office. There is no fee, each business is notified separately, and home-based food businesses must notify too.[14][15]
What training do food handlers need?
The FSAI's Guide to Food Safety Skills sets out three levels: Level 1 skills that staff should show within their first month, Level 2 skills within 3 to 12 months, and Level 3 skills for managers and supervisors.[1][16] The FSAI does not run food hygiene or HACCP courses itself, and its advice on choosing a trainer says inspectors look at hygiene practices and staff knowledge rather than asking for one particular certificate.[2]
The Ireland version of the course uses Irish law, the FSAI's guidance, Irish temperature rules and the 14 allergens, with examples from Irish kitchens, cafés and shops. The certificate confirms completion of training; it is not a regulated qualification.
See all of Ireland or read the Ireland training guide.
Sources
- Training – First Steps (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- Choosing a Trainer (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- Competent Authorities (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- Health Service Executive National Environmental Health Service (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- Press release on enforcement orders served in January 2026 (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 10 February 2026)
- Press release on enforcement orders served in February 2026 (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 10 March 2026)
- Press release on enforcement orders served in March 2026 (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 14 April 2026)
- Press release on enforcement orders served in April 2026 (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 12 May 2026)
- Press release on enforcement orders served in May 2026 (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 10 June 2026)
- Press release on enforcement orders served in June 2026 (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 14 July 2026)
- Press release on enforcement orders served in July 2026 (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 11 August 2026)
- Press release on enforcement orders served in August 2026 (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 10 September 2026)
- Press release on enforcement orders served in September 2026 (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 15 October 2026)
- Notify the HSE about starting a food business (HSE, no date shown)
- Food Business Notification (HSE.ie, no date shown)
- FSAI Guide to Food Safety Skills (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- Enforcement Powers (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- Enforcement (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, no date shown)
- 127 enforcement orders served on food businesses in 2025 (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 13 January 2026)
Train your staff in 2–3 hours
Our Food Safety & Hygiene Level 2 course has seven short modules, a final exam and an instant certificate with QR verification.